Adventure
Sports in Kashmir
Fishing
Kashmir
has often been referred to as an angler's
paradise, with a network of rivers and streams as
well as high altitude lakes all abounding in trout
- both brown and rainbow. Trout fishing in Kashmir
is far, far cheaper than it is in any other part
of the world.
Kashmir's fabled natural
beauty needs no introduction here. Criss-crossing
the state are the well-known Sind and Lidder
rivers, alongwith their tributaries and a silvery
network of smaller rivers and streams. The
geographical variation along the course of each
river is immense, afford-ing endless possibilities
for the angler. Nearer the source of each river,
the gradient is steeper and the waters faster
flowing. The landscape is generally hilly, with
dark brooding pines towering an around. As the
river runs its course, the gradient evens out, and
the flow of water loses its torrential force. You
are now in open countryside where the horizon is
wide and sweeping, and where trees are willow,
poplar and walnut. Rivers and streams are divided
into approximately 100 beats, most of which are
are within a two hour drive from Srinagar.
If you are more
adventurous, you can fish in one of many high
altitude lakes (14,000 ft above sea level) which
are reached by a trek. On trek in particular
starts from Sonamarg and goes on to Vishansar,
Kishansar, Satsar, Gadsar and Gangabal, all alpine
lakes. When their surface is frozen over during
the winter, the fish (mainly brown trout) keep
close to the bottom of the lake, rising nearer the
surface as the ice melts. In these lakes, the use
of spoons and spinners is allowed.
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